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Incredible week in May 2016 for Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde Essaouira, Morocco. . Alhamdulilah (all praise is for God). I had A wonderful concert with great Maalem Hassan Boussou a monumental collaboration in career. . He is truly a treasure and I was indeed blessed to share the stage with. The music of the Gnaoua is so so powerful and the massive audience that attended loved it, and I loved them. The staff of the festival was the most gracious and professional. I was joined by King Britt on Electronics, Wolfgang Puschnig on Sax, flute and hojak, and Ahmad Compaoré on drums and a surprise special guest Bob Wisdom. I am grateful to them all for their creative contributions and brotherhood. We all had a wonderful time. Anyone who enjoys arts , culture and music needs to visit Essaouira for this festival, you will have a beautiful time. Photos by Sound Evidence. #gnaoualive,

Celebrate Philly Jazz and International Jazz Day with renowned bassist, composer, producer Jamaaladeen Tacuma and friends at the Clef Club

Philadelphia, PA – Internationally renowned bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma is pleased to present The Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival for the second year in a row, a celebration of creative, progressive improvised music. The concert takes place on International Jazz Day, Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 7pm - 1 am at the Philadelphia Clef Club, 736-8 S. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19146.Admission is payable at the door in cash only, $25 for adults and $15 for students with I.D.

The 2015 Festival brought together people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities for an evening celebrating Philadelphia's rich musical legacy—the event was sold out with a waiting list to get in. This year the festival was chosen to be the closing event of Philadelphia Jazz Appreciation Month: Philadelphia Jazz Appreciation Month is a project of the Smithsonian Museum’s National Museum of American History. This year, Festival founder Jamaaladeen Tacuma’s curatorial focus is on cross-generational musical exchange. Tacuma has identified fiery young artists to pair with seasoned figures of Philadelphia improvised creative music.

Aguilar and La Bella Strings are pleased to announce a clinic with bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma. With bold improvisational sense, Tacuma is widely recognized as a completely original voice in the bass community. He is known for his landmark recordings with Ornette Coleman as well as playing with Carlos Santana and Jeff Beck among others. Tacuma looks to share his experiences and long-term musical and human adventures with all who attend.

Don’t miss this special event! Thursday, April 14th, 2016, 7pm at the Aguilar Artist Loft in NYC.

A comprehensive 3 PART workshop and lecture based on the concept of the business of music and the human experience, Improvisation as a means of musical expression and the global appreciation of today's world musical language.

This workshop and lecture is for all musicians, DJs, non musicians and for anyone interested in the business of music and the concept of collective improvisation. In depth this workshop and lecture deals with the professions, economics and the structure and development of today's music business.

The discussions will also give insight as to how today's musicians can develop their own business and promotional strategies to help their chosen careers.

Musical instrumentalist will spend time with each other creating and improvising as a means to creating a musical statement and learning from each other. Time will be spent looking into what makes up the musical trends of today aswell as the more classic forms of music, be it Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop , Electronica and world musical collaborations.

Jamaaladeen Tacuma is pleased to share his experiences and long term musical and human adventures with all who attend. Jamaaladeen has toured and traveled around the world for more than 30 years playing concerts and club dates spreading his spicy musical ﬂavor to the listening audience. This workshop will be informative and exciting for all who attend.

There will be a question and answer period directly following the workshop and lecture for those who attend.

This recording encompasses music that is built entirely on purity of sound filtering through the maze of electronics. The electric bass and electric guitar heard in a way that is revolutionary and a statement to the development and possibilities of these two iconic instruments.

Jam-All Productions is pleased to share that globe-trotting, Philadelphia-based bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma Pop Up" Bellissimo Tour of Italy. Over the years Jamaaladeen has had the great pleasure to collaborate with a host of Italian musicians , in 2014 he was honored to receive Civitella Ranieri Fellowship during his stay his love and connection with Italy was fortified. He is very happy to be back in Italy for an intensive improvisational musical exploration of Italy Oct 24 to Oct 31 2015.

The international musical exchange will kick off Saturday October 24 at Time Zones Music Festival in Bari Italy , he will be joining BBRT Bowie-Bourelly-Russel-Tacuma, New Language , BBRT will also share a set with Producer, Composer, Musician Nicola Conte Italian. Sunday October 25 Jamaaladeen heads to Rome for a few days , where he joins multi instrumentalist vocalist Mauro Tiberi and Saxophonist Andrea Polinelli at Theatre Casa Delle Culture and B-Folk . October 28 he travels to Posta Fibreno, Frosinone, Italy for a delightful evening at "Il Vicolaccio" celebrating a cd release of Electric Electrico with guitarist Robert Cervi . Next Jamaaladeen goes to Perugia for a special evening organized by composer and bassist musicians Marco Sarti. To top it all off Jamaaladeen is in Bologna and Milan to work with composer, saxophonist Marco G. Visconti-Prasca . During this musical tour Jamaaladeen will continue to foster his beautiful exchange of "Philly Jazz” improvised and creative music with Italian musicians and artists.

World Renown James E. Dupree and Jamaaladen Tacuma collaborate. The Black Picasso & Goliath Breaking it all the way Down accompanying "Stolen Dreams in the Promise Zone" Stockton University Noyes Arts Garage. Jamaaladeen is honored to announce a new composition debut

During his highly public struggle with the city of Philadelphia to save his iconic studio from seizure under Eminient Domain, artist James E. Dupree developed over 400 pieces of artwork. Now, these pieces are brought together in the exhibition Stolen Dreams in the Promise Zone at Stockton University Art Garage in Atlantic City. Renown composer, bassist and producer Jamaaladeen Tacuma provides a powerful musical rendition of the installation titled The Black Picasso & Goliath– Breaking it All the Way Down. Each of The Black Picasso & Goliath's three movements reach deep into the total experience of Dupree's battle, resulting in a composition that conveys turmoil, passion and the triumphant result. Tacuma's composition will be performed live on Friday August 28 from 6PM-8PM, is free and to the public.

James E. Dupree is an accomplished artist, educator, and business owner. Raised in between Philly and Pittsburgh, Dupree lived as a child just a few blocks from his Haverford Ave. studio. Among the first black graduates of the University of Pennsylvania MFA program, and a recent recipient of the UPenn Black Alumni Society's Living Legend Award, he is in many ways an example of the success of Philadelphia’s art institutions in addressing the city’s underprivileged communities. He attended free classes at Fleisher Art Memorial as a child, he later received a full scholarship at Columbus College of Art and Design, and went on to prominence via graduate school at Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts and the University of Pennsylvania. Dupree’s works are in the permanent collections of several museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and the Schomberg Museum in Copenhagen, as well as in private collections of the Dave Matthews Band and Patti LaBelle. He has been artist-in-residence at numerous cultural institutions including the National Museum of Wales and the Studio Museum of Harlem, and his sets for a Mummers Fancy Brigade club, the Shooting Stars, won them first place two years in a row and him the nickname of "King James". As an educator, he and his wife spent seven years running and teaching at the Community Voyage School for runaway children at 35th and Lancaster Ave., and Mr. Dupree also taught at the Prints in Progress after-school program at 3500 Lancaster in the CEC building. Dupree taught in higher education for many years at the University of the Arts and PAFA. Currently, in addition to the private instruction offered at Dupree Studios, you can take free figure painting classes with Dupree at Fleisher Art Memorial. Mr. Dupree has used his success as an artist to reinvest in the Philadelphia communities of his roots. There are many well-known examples of that investment, but one example that stands out is his studio in the Mantua neighborhood. His success is a product of the best Philadelphia art institutions, and he is an exemplary model of a Philadelphian investing back in his community. Part of his long term goals, his dream, has been to leave Dupree Studios as a pillar in the Mantua community. jamesdupree.com for his bio and more of his work. You can help produce and archive this historic and monumental collaboration of art and music,

Philadelphia PA – The Balance of Life Initiative is pleased to host this wonderful fundraising event of Jazz Under the Stars concert featuring The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, Jamaaladeen Tacuma Quintet, Seff Al-Afriqi Spoken Word, Noorah Islam Solo Vocalist, guests are asked to arrive dressed in “Shades of Blue” attire, Organic Cuisine by Abu the Juiceman available for purchase, and vending by Philadelphia’s top artisanal merchandisers at Karima’s Banquet Hall– Outside, 1928 West Hunting Park Ave, Philadelphia PA. Tickets are $25 and $35 and are available at the door or online via Paypal.

The Balance of Life Initiative is an organization created by Amin & Khadijah Alderman. It is designed to enhance the lives of those who have lost their loved ones, by promoting and supporting social activities that foster brotherhood and sisterhood. The residual effects of this organization’s fund-raising will provide assistance to the community for grief counseling, pre-need counseling, wills and also partial financial assistance for those who can’t afford the entire cost of a funeral service for their loved one. In addition we want to support efforts to stop the violence in our city and promote healthy youth activities.

The genesis of the ARPEGGIO JAZZ ENSEMBLE sound was created in 1979 by bassist Warren Oree. The group has become a permanent segment in the infinite collage of Jazz music. ARPEGGIO’S repertoire includes original and standard compositions. Everyone in the band composes which gives the group a versatile sound that appeals to a variety of audiences. Their music is flexible, ranging from soft, contemplative melodies to energetic, multirhythmic arrangements. It is not unusual for audiences to break out in dance in response to some of the pulsating beats issuing forth from the bandstand.

Jamaaladeen Tacuma is known for re-defining the electric bass sound. In the 1970's, his creatively free approach caught the ear of saxophonist Ornette Coleman, and Tacuma became a member of Coleman's ensemble Prime Time. Tacuma has since worked with diverse artists including Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Marc Ribot, Derek Bailey, Pharoah Sanders, Grover Washington Jr., Peter Murphy, and The Roots. He has worked with orchestras led by Anthony Davis at Carnegie Hall. His awards and accolades include the Parallel Culture Award (2009), the Marcus Garvey Foundation 50th Anniversary Award (2011), and a Pew Fellowship in the Arts (2011).

Youssef Kromah (aka Seff Al-Afriqi) is a writer, author, spoken word poet, dynamic speaker and powerhouse performer. Kromah has shared stages with some of the world's most remarkable talents and public figures. His resume includes names like Nikki Giovanni, Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, The Roots, Sanaa Lathan, Soledad O’Brein, Eve, Wale, Kim Coles, The Last Poets and countless others. Kromah has performed in venues all throughout the United States and abroad. His talents have taken him to stages in New York, Chicago, Hollywood, Latin America, North Africa, and Europe.

Noorah Islam is a Singer/Song Writer/Studio & Performance Artist/Public Speaker who creates & performs Inspirational Islamic music. Noorah exploded onto the Islamic Music scene with her debut album, Heart Of A Muslim, Volume 1, and has already made many strides towards creating a safe, open and encouraging space for Muslimahs and fellow female artists. Noorah is a self proclaimed non-conformist who believes Muslim women too should have a platform to perform, cultivate and showcase their talents as well as being able to be entertained within the confines of Islam. Noorah is the creator of 'The Pretty Hurts Tour' and Co-Founder of 'Summer White Tour'. *Noorah Islam is a major supporter of Muslim-owned and Women-owned businesses.

I am extremely humbled and honored to be asked to say a few words about Ornette, who was so important to me in his role as a human being and as a musical mentor. Ornette you are missed so much, but your message to the human race is here with us and will live on. Thank you so much Jez Nelson, Chris Elcombe and BBC radio3/jazzon3.

"It would be impossible to get even close to summing up Ornette's 60-year career in 90 minutes but I hope you'll enjoy listening to this week’s Jazz on 3 as much as producer Chris Elcombe and I enjoyed putting it together. There's much love for Ornette and his voice will be with us forever."- Jez Nelson

Limited edition T Shirt from the inaugural SOLD OUT festival "The Outsiders Improvised and Creative Music Festival" held in Philadelphia during Jazz Appreciation Month April 24, 2015. Black in color with white and orange professional silk screen design. Designed by Rahima Tacuma for their in house Jam ALL Productions. Just a few left, size Large & X-large